Prophylactic systems for dental instruments and methods for using the same

ABSTRACT

A prophylactic system  100  for a dental hand piece  101  of a selected shape and having an outlet  112  for providing a fluid to an operating field is disclosed. A cover  102  has a shape substantially similar to the hand piece  101  for enclosing the dental hand piece  101  and includes an aperture  118  for communicating with the operating field. An s-shaped valve  600  includes a path  605  for coupling the fluid from outlet  118  of the hand piece  101  to the aperture  118  of the cover.

This application is a Continuation Application of application Ser. No.10/068,626 filed Feb. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,934 which is aContinuation Application of application Ser. No. 09/426,219 filed Oct.22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,124.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to dental instruments and inparticular to a prophylactic system for dental instruments and methodsfor making the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, the various health professions have come under closescrutiny due to the increased possibility of the transmission ofinfectious diseases from doctor to patient, patient to doctor, andpatient to patient. This is particularly true in the dental office,where dental appliances come in direct contact with potentially harmfulfluids or blood-born pathogens, such as Hepatitis B and HIV, foundwithin the oral cavity. With the predicted increase in the number ofcases of infection with the Hepatitis B and HIV viruses, dentists willbe treating more patients carrying these infections, knowingly orunknowingly. Consequently, the possibility of accidental transmission ofthese dangerous infectious diseases will correspondingly increase.

One particular path of pathogen transmission within the dental office isthrough the high speed and low speed air-driven dental hand pieces.These appliances come in direct contact with the patient's oral cavityduring use and often collect blood, minute debris and other microbialand particulate matter, which have been shown to be a source ofblood-born pathogen transmission, including the transmission of theHepatitis B and HIV viruses. Because of the potential for transmissionof pathogens by dental hand pieces, the Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration has issued detailed guidelines for proper handling andsterilization of these devices following each patient use. Among otherthings, proper hand piece sterilization involves autoclaving theinstrument at approximately 15 psi and 121° C. for a period of thirtyminutes (cold sterilization using a disinfectant solution is oftenineffective). This requirement, although necessary, drastically reducesthe number of patients that can be effectively treated during thedentist's normal work day due to the increased time required to bothautoclave and cool instruments. (The cost of dental hand pieces rangefrom a few hundred to well over a thousand dollars, which makes iteconomically difficult to maintain a large number of such appliances inorder to handle an increased patient load). Moreover, repetitiveautoclaving has been shown to decrease the useful life of theinstruments themselves.

Another concern related to the use of high-speed dental hand pieces isthe noise level at which the dentist is exposed. The typical high-speeddental hand piece produces noise in the frequency range of 2,000 to3,500 Hertz, with a typical amplitude of 80 decibels at approximately2,000 Hertz. With the average dentist spending many hours per week, overa number of years, exposed to the noise from dental appliances, thepotential readily exists for the dental practitioner to experience sometype of hearing disorder.

In sum, the need has arisen for apparatus and methods which provide apractical means for preventing dental hand pieces from coming in directcontact with potentially harmful fluids or blood-born pathogens foundwithin the oral cavity. Moreover, it would be highly advantageous ifsuch methods and apparatus could also reduce the noise level to whichthe dental practitioner is exposed during the use of such hand pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A prophylactic system is disclosed for a dental hand piece of a selectedshape and having an outlet for providing a fluid to an operating field.A cover is provided having a shape substantially similar to a shape ofthe hand piece for enclosing the dental hand piece. The cover includesan aperture for communicating with the operating field. An s-shapedvalve includes a path for coupling the fluid from outlet of the handpiece to the aperture of the cover.

The principles of the present invention are also embodied in a dentalsystem which includes a hand piece, an inner cover, and an outer cover.The hand piece includes a burr and air and water outlets for performingdental operations in an oral operating field. The inner cover has ashape substantially conforming to a shape of the hand piece and enclosesthe hand piece. The inner cover includes a first aperture for receivingthe burr and a second aperture for passing air and water from the airand water outlets of the hand piece. The outer cover has a shapesubstantially conforming to the shape of the inner cover and enclosesthe inner cover. The outer cover further includes a first aperture forreceiving the burr and a second aperture for passing air and waterpassed from the inner cover to the operating field.

Methods are also disclosed for protecting a dental hand piece fromexposure to potential hazardous materials during a dental procedure. Onesuch method includes the step of enclosing the hand piece with an innercover having a shape substantially conforming to a shape of the handpiece. The inner cover includes a first aperture for receiving a burrcoupled to the hand piece and a second aperture for passing a fluidprovided by an outlet on the hand piece. The method additionallyincludes the step of enclosing the inner cover with an outer cover, theouter cover including a first aperture for receiving the burr and thesecond aperture for passing the fluid output from the second aperture ofthe inner cover to a dental operating field.

Additionally, a burr assembly is disclosed for use with a dental handpiece. The assembly includes a dental burr and a splash guard coupled tothe dental burr and having means for propelling liquids and debris awayfrom the hand piece during rotation of the burr.

In sum, the principles of the present invention provide a practicalmeans for preventing dental hand pieces from coming in direct contactwith potentially harmful fluids or bloodborn pathogens during dentalprocedures. Moreover, the double cover system substantially reduces thenoise level to which the dental practitioner is exposed during such aprocedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C depict a series of perspective views of the inner portionsof a dental hand piece-cover system according to the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 depicts in detail and adapter, which connects to conventionaldental water and air source;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an outer cover according to theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting a dental hand piece/inner cover assemblyaccording to either embodiment, as received by outer cover;

FIG. 5 provides an enclosed view of a dental hand piece/inner coverassembly, as received by outer cover;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respective front and rear views of a protectivevalve suitable for passing air, water and light from correspondingoutlets of the hand to an aperture through the inner cover;

FIGS. 7A-7C are respective views of a bur-splash guard assembly, the burapart from the assembly and the splash guard apart from the assembly;and

FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of an in-line air and water filter adapted foruse with a dental hand piece, such as that shown in FIG. 1A, along withan adapter for coupling the filter and the hand piece when the filter isdisposed external to the hand piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles of the present invention and their advantages are bestunderstood by referring to the illustrated embodiment depicted in FIGS.1-7. of the drawings, in which like numbers designate like parts.

FIGS. 1A-1C depict a series of perspective views of the inner portionsof a dental hand piece-cover system 100 according to the principles ofthe present invention. The primary components depicted in these figuresinclude a high-speed air-driven dental hand piece 101 and a first orinner cover 102 comprised of first and second interlocking halves 103 aand 103 b. The two halves 103 of inner cover 102 are mirror symmetricand generally have dimensions and shape adapted to receive and enclosehand piece 101. The primary portions of hand piece 101 are the main body104, handle 105, neck 106, and head 107. Neck 106 is disposed at anangle to body 104 such that head 107 is disposed at a contra-angle tobody 104 and handle 105.

Head 107 encloses an air-driven turbine which drives an interchangeabledental burr which is received through burr opening 108. A burr changingmechanism 109 is provided which is accessible through the rear of head107. The burr may also be used by the use of socket-like opening whichreceive the burr changing tool used to both loosen and tighten the burr.

Located at the front of head 107, and immediately below burr receptacle108 are air-supplied delivery tube and opening 111, and fiber opticlight 112. Tubing within hand piece 101 carries water and pressurizedair, at approximately 5-60 psi, from an adapter 113 to openings 110 and111, respectively.

Adapter 113, which connects to conventional dental water and air source,is shown in FIG. 1C, and in more particular detail in FIG. 2. Adapter113, includes an aperture or receptacle 114 for introducing water, anaperture or receptacle 115 for receiving air, and a light cover 116 fortransmitting light from a fibre optic light source to the head 107.

The two halves 103 of inner cover 102 are preferably constructed from aplastic ranging in thickness from 0.01 mm to 100 mm. Preferably,absorbent strips 44 are glued or otherwise fastened along the outeredges of halves 103. When corresponding edges of the two halve abut, afirst (inner) seal is provided to prevent the ingress or egress ofhazardous fluids and particles. Moreover, absorbent strips 117 may bepretreated or post-treated with a variety of substances, includinganti-viral, antibacterial, antibiotic or disinfectant substances, tofurther improve the barrier against the transmission of hazardousmaterials. When half covers 103 a and 103 b are assembled to form innercover 102, an aperture 118 is defined which allows light from lightsource 112 and water from water aperture 110 to reach the dentaloperating field. Specifically, aperture 118 acts as a one-way flow valvewhich protects from the uptake of hazardous fluid and debris into theconfines of inner cover 102. Specifically, exit aperture 118 is wideenough to allow for the excess of air and water under pressure of theair compressor, but narrow enough to resist the intake of fluid andother materials.

Apertures 119 are provided at the connector end of inner cover 102, inconjunction with similar apertures through the outer cover, allow forthe dissipation of compressed air used to drive the air turbine in head107. A soft insert 119, made of rubber or similar material, may beincluded for damping vibration and noise.

FIG. 2 is an alternate embodiment of the cover 102. In this case, thetwo halves 201 of cover 102, are formed with a 90° rotation with respectthe halves 103 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 2 additionally shows another very important feature according tothe principles of the present invention. Specifically, a circumferentialor cone shaped burr opening cover 202 is provided through half 201 b ofinner cover 102. A cone shaped burr opening is adapted to receive theburr tool while aiding in the prevention of leakage of harmful materialsand fluids into inner cover 102.

In the illustrated embodiments, the two halves of inner cover 102 areheld together with a friction lock closure comprising an interlockingseries of male tabs 121 and corresponding female apertures 122. Eachmale tab 121 includes a raised elevation or notch which captures thesidewall of the corresponding aperture 122. Tabs 121 are preferablyformed integral with the corresponding half 103 b or 201 b of innercover 102 and may have a thickness of between 0.01 mm to 10 mm and awidth from 0.01 mm to 50 mm. The sidewalls of apertures 122 may beshaped or angled to improve interlocking with tabs 121.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an outer cover 300 according to theprinciples of the present invention. As with inner cover 102, outercover 300 is preferably formed of injected molded and/or thermoformedplastic, although other materials such as rubber may also be used. FIG.3 depicts outer cover 300 in an open configuration ready to receive theassembly comprised of hand piece 101 and inner cover 102. As with theinner cover, outer cover 300 includes two symmetric halves 301 a and 301b. A hinge mechanism 310, for example, a thin layer of plastic formedintegrally with the two halves 301 of cover 300, allows body halve 301to rotate with respect to each other to thereby close outer cover 300.Cover 300 is held in the closed position using a friction lock mechanismincluding male tabs 302 and female apertures 303 on opposing edges ofthe corresponding halves 301. As described above with regards to innercover 102, male tabs 302 include a raised protrusion or notch suitablefor interlocking with the sidewalls of apertures 303. The sidewalls ofapertures 303 may also be shaped or angled to improve the capture oftabs 302.

A plurality of treated antibiotic, anti-viral or disinfectant treatedstrips 304 and 305 are disposed along the length of respective halfbodies 301 a and 301 b. Strips 304 are preferably made of compressedcotton, but other similarly absorbent materials may also be used. Theymay be treated, for example with a commercially available compound suchas amoxicillin. In the illustrated embodiment, strips 304 are angled andstrips 305 curved such that the inner cover/dental hand piece assembly100 fits snugly within the confines of outer cover 300. In addition toproviding a barrier against the ingress and egress of hazardous fluidsand debris, strips 304 and 305 provide a series of mechanical absorbersand baffles which help produce the noise experienced by the dentalpractitioner as well as the patient.

An aperture or receptacle 306 is formed around the dental bur extendingfrom hand piece 101. An additional aperture 307, directly below aperture306, is formed allowing air, and/or light from source tubes 111 and/or112 (shown in FIG. 1A), respectively, to reach the operating field.Additionally, apertures 308 are provided at the receptacle end of cover300 for venting compressed air exhausted from the air turbine drivingthe bur.

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting a dental hand piece/inner cover assemblyaccording to either embodiment 100 or embodiment 200, as received byouter cover 300. In FIG. 4, the two halves of outer cover 300 have yetto be folded and locked together to complete the outer enclosure of theassembly. An enclosed view is provided in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respectively front and rear views of a preferredprotective valve 600 for connecting water outlet 110, air outlet 111 andlight source 112 of hand piece 101 with aperture 118 of inner cover 102.Valve includes a body 601, enclosing tubes and a fiber optic filamentfor transmitting the air, water and light received at hand pieceinterface 603 to inner cover interface 602.

Body 601 is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal,plastic or rubber, which allows body 601 to maintain a “backwardsS-shaped” shape. This shape advantageously traps biological contaminantsand debris which may be found in backwash and spray from the surgicalfield. In particular, such contaminants and debris are generally trappedin region 604 immediately above the point where the slope of theS-shaped curve reverses.

The enclosed water path 605 is represented in FIG. 6A by dashed lines.In region 604, the water path widens laterally and becomes thinvertically. This feature adds additional protection against the ingressof debris and contaminants towards the hand piece outlets, which areparticularly susceptible retain contamination. A similar shape may alsobe used for the air path, which is not shown in the figures for brevityand clarity.

A mesh or filter 606 is provided at inner cover interface 606. Filter606 may, for example, be made of an absorbent material, such ascompressed cotton, which is impregnated with an anti-biologicalcontamination agent, such as amoxicillin. A cover 609 is included foruse when air or water is not being transmitted from the hand piece.Cover 609 preferably swivels between closed and open positions withrespect to body 601 and may be spring-loaded such that it automaticallyreturns to the closed position (covering inner cover interface 602)whenever pressurized air or water is not flowing outwards towards innercover aperture 118.

Apertures 608 a, 609 a and 610 a align and communicate with air outlet111 water outlet 110 and light filament 112 of hand piece 101 andcorresponding apertures 608 b, 609 b and 620 b align and communicatewith aperture 118 through inner cover 102. A series of apertures 611 mayoptionally be provided through the sides of valve body 601 for expellingcontaminants and debris, which may have accumulated in the air and orwater paths, under the pressure of the flowing air or water itself.

Valve 600 preferably couples to inner cover 102 and hand piece 101through a friction lock mechanism which includes at least one male tabprotrusion on one of the mating components and at least onecorresponding female receptacle on the other component of the matingpair. A single friction lock mechanism 612 may be used as shown in FIG.6B where a single protrusion or receptacle is provided one each side ofthe corresponding interface 602/603 or a double friction lock mechanism613 which utilizes both a protrusion and a receptacle on each side ofthe given interface 602 or 603.

FIG. 7A is a diagram of a bur—splash guard 700 assembly embodying theprinciples of the present invention. Assembly 700 may be used with handpiece 101 alone or in combination with inner and outer covers 102 and300. Assembly 700 includes a bur 701 and a splash guard 702. In additionto the view of the assembly provided in FIG. 7A, side view of bur 701 isprovided in FIG. 7B and a front view of splash guard 702 is provided inFIG. 7C.

Splash guard 702 is secured to bur 701 by snapping the edge of inneraperture 703 of splash guard 702 into a V-shaped notch 704 on bur 701.In the secured configuration, splash guard 702 rotates along with bur701. The inner face of splash guard includes a plurality of fins 705which act similar to fan blades. Fins 705 force air, liquids and soliddebris away from hand piece 101. In this fashion, an accumulation ofdebris around the bur end of hand piece 101 is minimized.

FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of an in-line air and water filter 800 whichmay provided internal to hand piece 101 or as part of an adaptercoupling hand piece 101 with the practitioner's conventional source ofcompressed air and water. FIG. 8 shows the configuration where filter800 is disposed within an adaptor 801 at the end of an air/water hose(not shown), along with an adapter 802 for coupling filter 800 with handpiece 101. Adapter 801 mates with adapter 802 with a friction lockmechanism including a male jack 803 on adapter 801 and a femalereceptacle 804 on adapter 802.

In the illustrated embodiment of filter 800, one water path 805 and oneair path 806. In alternate embodiments, there may be multiple air and/orwater paths, with the principles of the present applying equally aswell. Water is filtered through an absorbent material 807, which may becompressed cotton strips or filaments impregnated with an anti-biotic oranti-viral agent, such as amoxicillin. Preferably, material 807 is afilament type or mesh material with pores 808 which may be rectangular,circular or oval. Air passes through an absorbent material 809 such aspreformed cotton, which has pores smaller or much smaller pores than thefilament material of the water path, as is more appropriate forfiltering a gas.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specificembodiments, these descriptions are not meant to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, aswell as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent topersons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of theinvention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theconception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilizedas a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying outthe same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realizedby those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

It is therefore, contemplated that the claims will cover any suchmodifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of theinvention.

1. A splash guard assembly for use with a dental hand piece, said splashguard assembly comprising: a dental bur comprising a notch; and a splashguard comprising: an inner ring defining an aperture configured toreceive said dental bur; an outer band coaxially positioned about theinner ring; and a plurality of fins extending between the inner ring andthe outer band, at least one of the plurality of fins comprising a firstmember that extends from the inner ring in a first direction, and asecond member that extends between the first member and the outer bandin a second direction, the plurality of fins defining correspondingopenings between adjacent fins, the openings extending through the firstend and the second end of the assembly, said plurality of finsconfigured to force a quantity of at least one of water, air and soliddebris away from the dental hand piece; wherein said splash guard isconfigured to engage said dental bur by snapping said inner ring intosaid notch.
 2. The splash guard assembly of claim 1 wherein said notchis V-shaped.
 3. The splash guard assembly of claim 1 wherein said splashguard is configured to rotate along with said dental bur.
 4. The splashguard assembly of claim 1 configured for use with an inner cover and anouter cover for the dental hand piece.
 5. The splash guard assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said fins are configured to reduce debris accumulationaround said bur.
 6. The splash guard assembly of claim 5 wherein saidfins are configured to act as fan blades.
 7. The splash guard assemblyof claim 1 wherein the outer band comprises a frusto-conical profile. 8.A method of providing a splash guard assembly for use with a dental handpiece, said method comprising: providing a dental bur comprising anotch; providing an inner ring defining an aperture sized to receive thedental bur therein; positioning an outer band coaxially about the innerring; extending a plurality of fins between the inner ring and the outerband such that the plurality of fins facilitate forcing a quantity of atleast one of water, air and solid debris away from the dental handpiece, the plurality of fins defining corresponding openings betweenadjacent fins, the openings extending through the first end and thesecond end of the assembly, wherein extending a plurality of finsbetween the inner ring and the outer band comprises: extending a firstmember of at least one of the plurality of fins from the inner ring in afirst direction, and extending a second member of the at least one ofthe plurality of fins between the first member and the outer band in asecond direction; engaging an inner edge of the inner ring with thedental bur by snapping the inner edge into the notch.
 9. The method ofclaim 8 wherein said engaging the inner edge with a dental bur furthercomprises snapping the inner edge into a V-shaped notch formed in thebur.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising configuring the splashguard to rotate along with the dental bur.
 11. The method of claim 8further comprising configuring the splash guard for use with an innercover and an outer cover of the dental hand piece.
 12. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising configuring the fins to reduce debrisaccumulation around the bur.
 13. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising configuring the fins to act as fan blades.
 14. The method ofclaim 8 wherein said positioning an outer band coaxially about the innerring further comprises positioning an outer band having a frusto-conicalprofile coaxially about the inner ring.
 15. A dental hand piececomprising: a splash guard assembly comprising: a dental bur comprisinga notch; and a splash guard comprising: an inner ring defining anaperture configured to receive said dental bur; an outer band coaxiallypositioned about the inner ring; and a plurality of fins extendingbetween the inner ring and the outer band, at least one of the pluralityof fins comprising a first member that extends from the inner ring in afirst direction, and a second member that extends between the firstmember and the outer band in a second direction, the plurality of finsdefining corresponding openings between adjacent fins, the openingsextending through the first end and the second end of the assembly, saidplurality of fins configured to force a quantity of at least one ofwater, air and solid debris away from the dental hand piece; whereinsaid splash guard is configured to engage said dental bur by snapping aninner edge of said inner ring into said notch.
 16. The dental hand pieceof claim 15 wherein said notch is V-shaped.
 17. The dental hand piece ofclaim 15 wherein said splash guard is configured to rotate along withthe dental bur.
 18. The dental hand piece of claim 15 wherein the splashguard is configured for use with inner and outer covers for the dentalhand piece.
 19. The dental hand piece of claim 15 wherein said fins areconfigured to reduce debris accumulation around said bur.
 20. The dentalhand piece of claim 15 wherein the outer band comprises a frusto-conicalprofile.